Series & Grade

Promotion Potential

Supervisory Status

Who May Apply

Control Number

Job Announcement Number

Job Overview

Summary

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 1043451 (Include # on all documents)

Carl Vinson VAMC is seeking a Psychologist for the MH RRTP Program.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentive MAY be Authorized

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise  "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan"  by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

As a VA Psychologist, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries.

EDRP: The applicant selected for this position MAY BE eligible to apply for an education loan reimbursement award up to the maximum limitation under the provisions of the Education Debt Reduction Program. Eligibility to apply does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Approval for EDRP awards are subject to the availability of funding

Your grade and step will be determined by the Psychologist Professional Standards Board (PSB). The PSB is a peer review process. The PSB will review your qualifications, education, professional training/internship(s) and professional experience to determine the most appropriate grade and step based on your individual accomplishments

Duties

The psychologist assigned to the position of Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RTTP) will provide a full range of psychological assessment services and diagnoses mental disorders, particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients. He or/she will provide education to patients, family members, and significant others. He/she will provide comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy. He/she provides consultation to professional staff within Carl Vinson VAMC and to community providers, concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned case load of patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders. He/she will function independently as a member of the Carl Vinson VAMC Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges. Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions and documentation. Psychologist may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday

Travel Required

Not Required

Relocation Authorized

Yes

Recruitment or Relocation is authorized for a well qualified candidate

Job Requirements

Key Requirements

U. S. Citizenship

Must pass pre-employment examination

English Language Proficiency required

Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required, Background required.

Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology.

Possess a doctoral degree in psychology, Intership must be done

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

a. Citizenship: U.S citizen

2. Education: Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment. Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training programs that has been accredited by APA.

3. Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a state, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g. Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia.

5. English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402 (d) and 7407 (d).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

In addition to the Basic Requirement the following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates. To be creditable, the experience must be post doctoral degree and must have required the use of knowledge, skills and abilities and other characteristics associated with current professional psychology practice.

GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements at the
GS-11 level, at least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist
equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Individuals assigned as GS-12 psychologists may be in the process of
obtaining licensure at the independent practice level. If unlicensed, the individual must be
supervised by a licensed psychologist and the experience and supervision must
meet the standards for psychology licensure.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of
professional psychological theories and assessment methods to a variety of
patient populations.

2. Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies.

3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.

Assignment: At the GS-12 level, unlicensed psychologists
practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, but with less need
for consultation than at the GS-11 grade level.
They may be assigned to any program area.

GS-13: In addition to the experience requirements at the GS-12 level, at least 1 additional year of experience as a psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs in accordance with VA handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G18:

1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological theories and techniques to the full range of patient populations.

2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.

3. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of professional psychological theories and assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.

4. Knowledge of clinical research literature.

5. Ability to incorporate new clinical populations.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. *** If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. ***

Veterans' Preference:

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD Form 214 or other proof prior to appointment to document entitlement to preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx.

Security Clearance

Public Trust - Background Investigation

Additional Information

What To Expect Next

After we receive your complete application package (including any required documents), your qualifications will be reviewed to decide if you meet the basic requirements. You will be notified when this decision is made.

BENEFITS

Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at http://www4.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp .

Other Information

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

How to Apply

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the right side of this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

YOU MUST INCLUDE VA FORM 10-2850c IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY. You may upload the completed form to your USAJOBS or Application Manager account if you apply online. Then you can use the uploaded form again and again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide (http://www4.va.gov/OHRM/joblistings/uploading-and-using-documents-online.doc) for more information on uploading and re-using the form in your applications. Other required forms and documents can also be saved in your account and used the same way. Applicants are urged to apply online; this process is much easier and faster.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application, just reapply through your account in USAJOBS. Check your account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Login.aspx ) to see the status of your application after applying, including any messages that may have been sent to you.

Fax the completed 1203FX form along with all supporting documents to (478)757-3144. Your 1203FX form must be placed on top of all materials being faxed and will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.

Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:

Complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID: 1043451. You must use this fax cover sheet in order for your documents to be matched with your online application.

Fax your documents to (478)757-3144.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 (required). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf).

If currently employed in the VA system, include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action. (required).